Assessment of animal diseases caused by bacteria resistant to antimicrobials: rabbits

Abstract

In this opinion, the antimicrobial-resistant bacteria responsible for transmissible diseases that constitute a threat to the health of farmed rabbits have been assessed. The assessment has been performed following a methodology based on information collected through an extensive literature review and expert judgement. Details of the methodology used for this assessment are explained in a separate opinion. A global state of play on antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates of Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium spiroforme is provided. Among these bacteria, none were identified as being the most relevant antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in rabbits in the EU due to the very limited scientific evidence available.

Effect of carbohydrates on the adhesion of Bordetella bronchiseptica to the respiratory epithelium in rabbits

“…Despite the use of various vaccines for the prevention of B. bronchiseptica infection, respiratory disease caused by this microorganism remains a common cause of significant economic losses in the livestock sector (Wabacha and Mulei 2000 ; Zhao et al 2011a , b ; Mazumder et al 2012 ; Wang et al 2020 ). In addition, in canines, B. bronchiseptica causes severe respiratory disease mostly represented by the kennel cough syndrome (Bhardwaj et al 2013 ; Corona et al 2013 ; Fastres et al 2020 ); furthermore, the increasing resistance of the microorganism to antibiotics is another major concern (Mazumder et al 2012 ; Nielsen et al 2021 ). Hence, the effort to develop new ways to prevent and/or control these diseases deserves increasing attention.…”

“…Bordetella bronchiseptica is a motile Gram-negative coccobacillus and is part of the normal flora of the upper respiratory tracts of various host animals. B. bronchiseptica is currently known to contribute to various respiratory syndromes affecting a wide range of mammals, including dogs (Bemis et al 1977 ; Molina et al 2006 ; Fastres et al 2020 ), cats (Welsh 1996 ), pigs (Pedersen and Barfod 1981 ; Saade et al 2020 ), cattle (Liu et al 2009 ), horses (Garcia-Cantu et al 2000 ) and rabbits (Deeb et al 1990 ; Gallego et al 2013 ; Wang et al 2020 ; Nielsen et al 2021 ). There have also been cases of respiratory illnesses associated with B. bronchiseptica in immunocompromised humans (Woolfrey and Moody 1991 ; Llombart et al 2006 ; Rath et al 2008 ; Galeziok et al 2009 ; Wang et al 2020 ; Rybolt et al 2022 ).…”

Social, ethical, environmental, economic and technological aspects of rabbit meat production - A critical review

“…Rabbits often suffer from staphylococcus [ 130 ]. Although these rabbits are detected at the pre-slaughter and slaughter stages of veterinary examination and are not allowed into the product turnover, however, there is a possible risk of RM contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus , which produces enterotoxin, as well as salmonella.…”

In vitro and ex vivo antibacterial activity of levofloxacin against Pasteurella multocida and Escherichia coli isolated from rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) – A preliminary study

“…Rabbits are prone to infectious diseases, frequently caused by Gram‐negative bacteria Pasteurella multocida ( P. multocida ) and Enterobacteriaceae family, including Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). Pasteurella multocida in rabbits can cause productive rhinitis, conjunctivitis, otitis, subcutaneous abscesses, bronchopneumonia, metritis and pyometra (EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) et al, 2021; Jekl, 2021; Percy & Barthold, 2008). Escherichia coli infection in rabbits is generally associated with neonatal and post‐weaning colibacillosis, accompanied by gastrointestinal tract pathology (Anses, 2020; EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) et al, 2021; El‐Ashram et al, 2020).…”

“…Wherever possible, fluoroquinolone use in veterinary medicine should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing in order to mitigate the risk to public health and prevent the spread of bacterial resistance (EMA/CVMP/CHMP/682198/2017, 2020). Currently, low levels of resistance to fluoroquinolones were reported in P. multocida isolates (EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) et al, 2021; Gardhouse et al, 2017; Jekl, 2021; Wang et al, 2019). Escherichia coli resistance to fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, was reported in animals (Marco‐Fuertes et al, 2022; Sitovs et al, 2021).…”